General Information Note

UNWTO/Chimelong Initiative Capacity Building Workshop for UNWTO Member States in the Greater Sub-region

Sustainable Tourism & Biodiversity Conservation

Pakse, Province ’s Democratic Republic

19-21 February 2019

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1. Introduction

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao People’s Democratic Republic invites you to the UNWTO/Chimelong Capacity Building Workshop on Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity Conservation for UNWTO Member States in the Greater Mekong Sub-region from 19 – 21 February 2019. The workshop is co-organized by the UNWTO and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

This information note provides details on administrative and logistical arrangements, along with other relevant information pertaining to your participation in the workshop.

UNWTO/Chimelong Initiative Title Capacity Building Workshop on Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity Conservation for UNWTO Member States in the Greater Mekong Sub-region Theme Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity Conservation Date 19-21 February 2019 Venue , , Lao PDR Organizer UNWTO Host Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sponsor Guangzhou Chimelong Group 20 local participants from Lao People’s Democratic Republic and 2 NTA/NTO Participants representatives from , People’s Republic of China (Yunnan and Guangxi), Myanmar, and Viet Nam. Official language English

2. Host Province

Champasak lies to the Southwest in . The capital city is Pakse, located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedon Rivers. Southeast Asia's biggest waterfall, Khone Phapheng, is within easy reach by boat or by road. This is one of the main political and economic centers of Lao PDR. The people of Champasak Province are dwell along of the Kong Se Done River bank. In this province you will find ancient temples which were influenced the Angkor people who settled in Cambodia. There are many different minorities in Champasak who have their own language, culture and lifestyles. The distance from to Pakse, the provincial capital of Champasak is 610 kilometers by Route 13 (south) via the provinces of Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Salavanh.

Champasak Province is known for its relaxed pace of life, warm hospitality and rich cultural, historic and natural heritage. The province has been ruled by various kingdoms through the ages, and today there are many archaeological remains scattered throughout the province. To the south of Pakse, the provincial capital is the Wat Phou Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attractions also include the Ancient City, historic colonial buildings, and Done Daeng Island, known for its traditional livelihoods and forested trails. In the southern region of the province is Done Khong and the Four Thousand Islands, or Si Phan Done in Lao. On this stretch of the Mekong is the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, Khone Pha Pheng, as well as Li Phi waterfall noted for its cascading emerald green waters. The endangered freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins inhabit the Mekong near the Lao-Cambodian border and can be observed from locally chartered boats.

The Wat Phou Festival is the province’s largest and draws a huge crowd from the entire Lao-Thai- Cambodia region. The event is held at the Wat Phou Temple Complex and falls on the 3rd full moon of the Buddhist lunar calendar, usually in February.

3. Meeting Venue

The UNWTO/Chimelong Initiative: Workshop on Sustainable Tourism & Biodiversity Conservation for the GMS will be held at the Champasak Grand Hotel, Pakse, Champasak Province, Lao PDR on 19-21 February 2019.

The Champasak Grand Hotel Lao Nippon Bridge, Mekong Riverside Road Tel: +856 031 255111 Fax: +856 031 255119 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.champasakgrand.com/

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Accommodation overview The host country has made provisional block booking for accommodation at Champasak Grand Hotel. MICT will bear the accommodation for all delegates at Champasak Grand Hotel as the following:  One (1) Deluxe Room for each delegates from UNWTO, Experts, GMS delegations for 4 nights (Check in: 18 February 2019; check out 22 February 2019).

Dietary options The host country has prepared some vegetarian and other food. Please kindly inform the organizing committee in the registration form at your convenience

4. General Conditions

Flight/Accommodation/Transportation Through the support of the UNWTO/Chimelong Initiative, UNWTO and MICT will cover all corresponding expenses for the participants as described below:  Flight ticket economy class between the country of origin and Pakse;  Ground transportation service between the hotel and the airport;  Accommodation for a total of 4 nights at the Champasak Grand Hotel;  Meals, drinks and coffee breaks during the official duration of the workshop (3 days).

Registration All delegates are requested to submit their Registration Form and return to the Organizing Committee before 14 December 2019.

5. Meeting Documents

Host secretariat will produce documents for distribution. Delegates are requested to cooperate by providing the secretariat with a softcopy of their presentation for reproduction. The host secretariat offers communication facilities and secretariat services: printers, computers and internet at secretariat room in Champasak Grand Hotel

6. Official Language

English will be the medium of communication throughout the meeting.

7. Ground Transportation

MICT will provide pick-up transfer from the airport to the hotel upon receiving the flight details, as well as during the departure.

Host country will assign staffs to meet the delegates at Pakse International Airport based on the flight schedule.

Flight to Pakse International Airport (, , mostly operated by . For more information, please visit Lao Airlines website: www.laoairlines.com

8. Technical Tour

Technical tours will be arranged for all delegates (Khone Pha Pheng Waterfall, the biggest waterfall in South East Asia. Khong District, Champasak Province)

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9. Passport and Visa

For international passengers travelling into Laos, visas are required for everyone with the exception of Japan, Korea, Russia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Brazil (Diplomatic, official or service passports) and ASEAN visitors. Passengers may obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at all three international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse). Passengers are encouraged to have with them one (1) passport size photo for the visa on arrival form.

You may require a visa for travel to some destinations. It is the passengers’ responsibility to obtain the proper visa. You must have a valid passport for the duration of your trip and the expiry date must be acceptable in all countries you enter. Additional information regarding the passport and visa requirements is available at the embassy of the country or countries you will be traveling to.

Visa on Arrival Fee

Below is a list of visa fee for different countries. If your country is not on the list, the cost of the Visa should be USD30, unless your country is not eligible for visa in Laos PDR. For more information related to the Visa please visit our official website http://www.mofa.gov.la, www.tourismlaos.org

Country Price (US Dollar) Australia 30 Canada 42 China 20 India 40 Sweden 31 USA 35 UK 35 Others 30

10. Useful Information

Area code Country Code (Laos): +856, City Code (Champasak): 31, for Mobile phone: 20

Currency The national currency of Laos is the Kip. The banknote of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 are available, Thai Bath and US dollars are commonly accepted in Vientiane, credit cards are accepted in major hotels but only a few restaurants. There is a number of ATM machines in Vientiane, which are from BCEL, Phongsavanh, Lao-Viet and STB Banks, and dispense Lao Kip only. Cash advances on credit cards can also be made at major Banks.

Working and Business hours Government offices and banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 8:00-12:00 and from 13:30- 16:00. Shops and private business usually are open longer.

Climate The climate in Pakse, Champasak Province is typically warm, with temperatures ranging from 20  C to 35C (in November from 25 to 35 C ).

Time Zone Local time zone in Lao PDR is GMT +7 hours.

Electricity The electric supply most commonly used in Lao PDR is 220-250.

Embassies of Greater Mekong Sub-region Countries

The Royal Embassy of Cambodia Chancery: Thadeua Road Km3,Sisattanak, Lao P.D.R Tel: (856-21) 314952 Fax: (856-21) 314951 Office Hours : 07:30 hrs - 11:30 hrs, 14:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar Chancery: Ban WatNak, Lao-ThaiRoad, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856-21) 314910-1 Fax: (856-21) 314913 Office Hours: 08:30 hrs – 16:30 hrs, (Monday – Friday)

The Royal Thai Embassy Chancery: Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R. Tel: (85621) 214581-3 Fax: (85621)241580 Email:[email protected] Office Hours: 08:3600 hrs – 12:30 hrs, 14:00 hrs – 16:30 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Chancery: No: 85,23Singha Road,Ban Phonsay, SaysetthaDistrit Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856-21) 413401, 413409 Fax: (856-21) 413379 E-mail:[email protected] Office Hours : 07:30 hrs – 11:30 hrs, 13:30 hrs – 16:30 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

Chancery: WatNak Village, Sisatanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 315100, 315103 Fax: (856-21) 315104

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11. Contact Information

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Secretariat the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Ms. Hyeon-Jin Lee Ms. Alounny Panhyasit

Regional Project Specialist Deputy Director of Division, Tourism Management Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific Department

Tel: +34 91 5679312 Mobile: 856-20 9509 0999 Fax: +34 91 5713733 e-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Ms. Orianne Derrier Mr. Somxay Sipaseuth

Regional Project Associate Director of Tourism Planning and Development Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific Division Tourism Development Department Tel: +34 91 567 81 45 Fax: 91 571 37 33 Tel: +856 21 212251 Email: [email protected] Fax: +856 21 217910 Email: [email protected]